What is social media optimization? 12 tips to make it happen

Social Media Optimization (SMO) is the method of social activity that attract visitors to a website through an elevated search rank. It proves there is a science to social media just like Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the process of maximizing visitors to a web site by achieving a top rank on search engines around specific keywords.

Both work hand in glove.

But there is a fundamental difference. SEO is based on keywords; SMO on contents (words, videos, images). When integrated, they are a brand’s most powerful combination for raising visibility and generating business on the web.

Just remember search engine don’t buy products, people do. So be yourself.

How do you make Social Media Optimization (SMO) happen? Here are 12 tips.

MAKE PEOPLE SMARTER: If a piece of content makes people seem smart, they’re more likely to share it with their friends. And people like being the first to share information because it makes them seem cool and in-the-know – Mashable

INCREASE LINKABILITY: To optimize a site for social media, we need to increase the linkability of the content. Adding a blog is a great step, however there are many other ways such as creating white papers and thought pieces, or even simply aggregating content that exists elsewhere into a useful format –Rohit Bhargava

TAG CONTENT SO IT TRAVELS FASTER:Make sure pages include a list of relevant tags, suggested notes for a link (which come up automatically when you go to tag a site) – Rohit Bhargava

MAKE ACCESS TO CONTENT EASY: Content that is easy to view throughshort links (PDFs, video files and audio files), travels further and is more trackable in proving it is driving visitors ultimately to your site – Rohit Bhrargava

USE PERMALINKS IN BLOGS FOR KEYWORDS AND SHARING: When you blog, permalinks automatically capture keywords in the URL titles that search engine look for when the crawl your site; at the bottom of your blog, they make it easy for readers to copy and share – BarnRaisers

REWARD HELPFUL AND VALUABLE INFLUENCERS: Share the content of the people who are sharing your content. It is both a sincere and smart way to raise visibility - Jeremiah Owyang

BE A USEFUL RESOURCE, EVEN IF IT DOESN’T HELP YOU: Add outbound links to areas that could help others. Folks will link to your social site and tag is as helpful or the ‘ultimate’ guide in that space. As this adds up, it will become more and more relevant in search engine results – Jeremiah Owyang

DON’T FORGET YOUR ROOTS; BE HUMBLE: Sometimes it can be easy to get carried away being a BlogStar or industry talking head. Remember those who helped you along the way, and that respect will help all involved – Loren Baker

LET GO OF AN IDEA AND LET OTHERS OWN IT: In the spirit of social media principles, the idea of Social Media Optimization is now out there and belongs to the marketing and PR community. I strongly believe the future definition of this emerging marketing practice will come from the group – Rohit Bhargava

KNOW WHO AND HOW TO TARGET: On the internet as in life, there is always going to be a certain audience you can appeal to and others that you can’t. Listen to who is engaging with you and take the learning to build your audience –Cameron Olthius

STAY FRESH : Social Media is changing and morphing by the minute, keep up on new tools, products and challenges in your social sphere – Loren Baker

Do these tips explain Social Media Optimization to you? Do they prove the value of SEO and SMO working together? Can SMO happen for your business?